Page 137 - CW E-Magazine (8-7-2025)

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AGRO-WASTE VALORISATION
CSIR-NIIST, NECTAR join forces on advancing vegan

leather technology

The CSIR-National Institute for CSIR-NIIST, and Dr. Arun Kumar Sarma, on creating inclusive economic opportu-
Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Director, NECTAR, in the presence of nities and uplifting local communities,
(CSIR-NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram, Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, especially women entrepreneurs.
has signed a Memorandum of Under- CSIR, during a formal ceremony held
standing (MoU) with the North East at CSIR Headquarters, New Delhi. Clean energy collaboration
Centre for Technology Application In another development, CSIR-
and Reach (NECTAR), an autonomous Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Kalai- NIIST announced a Joint Declaration of
body under the Department of Science & selvi said, “Agricultural residues such Intent (JDI) with Deutsche Gesellschaft
Technology, Government of India. as rice straw, banana and pineapple für Internationale Zusammenarbeit
waste are typically discarded or burned, (GIZ) under the ‘Indo-German Energy
The MoU facilitates the transfer leading to air and water pollution, soil Programme’. This collaboration will
of CSIR-NIIST’s plant-based vegan degradation, and biodiversity loss. establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE)
leather technology to NECTAR for CSIR-NIIST’s technology provides a for Building Integrated Photovol-
establishing common facility centres sustainable solution by converting this taics (BIPV) – a transformative solar
and manufacturing units in Meghalaya biomass into plant-based leather, re- technology seamlessly embedded into
and other north-eastern states. These placing 50-70% of the chemicals used roofs, walls, and windows.
centres will support farmers, MSMEs, in synthetic leather and signifi cantly
and women-led self-help groups in reducing the environmental footprint Through joint training, research,
converting agro-waste into high-value of the leather industry.” testing, and standardisation, CSIR-
sustainable products. NIIST and GIZ India aim to fast-track
NECTAR will lead the implementa- BIPV innovation, support local manu-
The MoU was exchanged between tion through the development of com- facturing, and unlock over 309-GW of
Dr. C. Anandharamakrishnan, Director, mon manufacturing centres, with a focus clean energy potential.
PROJECT MILESTONE
Numaligarh Refi nery completes installation of mega

vacuum tower

Numaligarh Refi nery Ltd. (NRL) has
achieved a signifi cant engineering mile-
stone with the successful installation of
the over-dimensional vacuum tower at its
Residue Upgradation Process Technology
Unit (RPTU), which forms part of the
ongoing Numaligarh Refi nery Expansion
Project (NREP).

The vacuum tower, a critical com-
ponent of the RPTU, weighs around
375-tonnes, spans 57-metres in length,
and has a maximum diameter of 8.5-
metres. The tower was installed atop a The equipment was transported showcasing India’s growing strength in
32-meter-high structure, marking a com- from Bharuch in Gujarat to Numa- multimodal logistics and infrastructure
plex and high-precision engineering feat. ligarh in Assam via inland waterways, development.

Chemical Weekly July 8, 2025 137

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